AKRON, Ohio — Akron City Council unanimously voted on Monday to make masks mandatory in the city.

Councilwoman Tara Mosley-Samples drafted that ordinance that requires masks at all public locations, unless a person is eating, works in a place that prohibits facial coverings, working alone in an assigned area or has health reasons.

“I take my duties as Mayor very seriously and the most crucial charge of my position is protecting the safety and wellbeing of the citizens of Akron. This face covering order will help keep Akron businesses open, help get our kids back into school, and ultimately and most importantly, save lives. Wearing a mask is not a political statement. It is a way of showing common courtesy and kindness to your fellow citizens. I wear my mask to protect your family and you wear yours to protect mine, and that is how community works," Mayor Dan Horrigan said.

Situations when face coverings will be required under the local order:

• While inside public areas of a place of business or City of Akron facility, and when entering, exiting or waiting in line to enter those areas of a place of business or City of Akron facility.
• In any outdoor space where physical distancing of at least six feet is not maintained from others who are not members of the same household.
• In any public transportation such as a bus, taxi, or ride-sharing service.
• In common areas of a multi-unit housing building, including, but not limited to, hallways, stairways, elevators, and lobbies.
• Places of business shall require face coverings for paying customers and for employees that interact with the public.

Akron’s ordinance comes after Governor Mike DeWine announced that the Ohio Department of Health will issue a face-covering order for all of Summit County while the county remains in a “red” or “purple” status under the Ohio Public Health Advisory System.

Summit County was moved to the "red" status on Thursday, and an order from the ODH requiring face masks in the entire county happened on Friday.

Even when the county level goes down and out of mandatory mask territory from the state’s perspective, Akron’s new ordinance would still require citizens to wear masks until the city and the SCPH determine it is safe and masks are no longer needed, officials said.

The city laid out the following stipulations regarding warnings and fines:

• Businesses that fail to enforce the requirements of the order within their establishment, after a warning and an opportunity to correct the violation, could face a potential civil penalty of $250.
• Individuals who fail to comply with the order, after a warning and an opportunity to correct the violation, could face a potential civil penalty of $50.

“All enforcement of this order will focus first on outreach, education, and support,” Horrigan said. “This is not designed to be punitive, but we need all our residents and businesses to take this seriously.”
According to the city, the "ordinance does not apply to individuals with a medical condition, mental health condition, or a developmental disability that prevents them from safely wearing a mask and children under the age of 10."

For a full list of Akron Mask FAQs, click here.

Akron and county violations can be reported by calling 330-926-5795 or by clicking, here.

RELATED: Akron mayor introduces bill to make masks mandatory

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